10 Reasons for Hair Loss
By Prof. Dr. Soner Tatlidede 2019-06-27
There are many reasons for hair loss. Every day men and women all around the world become surprised when they look themselves in the mirror, and wonder “Why am I losing hair?” That´s the first step before searching for a permanent and effective solution.
For example, another usual question is: why do men lose hair? Well, the fact is that losing hair is not something uncommon, and not only related to men, but to women, too. The important point is always to identify the nature of hair loss, estimate its evolution, and look for a professional assessment in order to decide the best treatment. Take a look to hair transplant prices in Turkey, surely it will be of your interest.
Stress... Of course
Stress and hair loss are intimately linked. In fact, stress is one of the most common factors causing loss of hair. Nerves, tension, anxiety and so on can lead to weakening of the hair follicles. The name of this type of hair loss is Telogen Effluvium, and it can lead to temporary baldness; however, it´s easily recoverable after 3-6 months of treatment.
Too many or too few vitamins
Both vitamin A and vitamin B are key vitamins for hair loss. An overdoing of vitamin A can trigger hair loss. It´s estimated that the Daily Value for vitamin A is 5,000 IU per day for adults and kids over age 4. However, this is a reversible condition and once the excess of vitamin A is halted, hair should grow normally.
Also low levels of vitamin B are another cause that may trigger hair loss. You can find natural vitamin B in fish, meat, starchy vegetables and non-citrus fruits. So, as you can see vitamins are quite important for a healthy hair.
Are you eating enough protein?
Proteins are vital for hair growth. Therefore, if you don´t receive enough proteins in your diet, your hair may stop growing: this can happen in a period of 2-3 months after a drop in protein intake, according to experts.
46 grams of protein per day for women and 56 grams per day for men should be enough to guarantee a sufficient supply of proteins and a healthy hair. Fish, meat and eggs are great sources of protein; and if you are vegan or vegetarian, you have also many protein sources, like green peas, quinoa, beans, tofu, leafy greens and many more.
Hair loss after pregnancy
Not only post pregnancy hair loss, but also hair loss during pregnancy are common examples of fall out of hair in women, and a clear example of physical stress. In fact, usually during the pregnancy hair growth is normal, but is more usual that hair starts losing volume or falling after the baby has been delivered. Anyway, don´t worry: this is a normal thing, and hair will regrow after a couple of months.
Hormonal imbalance and hair loss
Hormonal imbalance is a common cause of hair loss, especially in women, due to hormonal changes that produce great imbalances in the body. Sometimes, they are not as visible as they should be; but in other occasions, they become an evident problem. Pregnancy and menopause are common causes of hair loss and some types of alopecia, like alopecia areata.
Anemia and hair loss
Can anemia cause hair loss? The answer is clear: yes. Iron deficiency (anemia) causes hair to fall out due to lack of iron in your system. Your doctor can do a blood test to determine if you have this kind of problem, and it can be easily solved just prescribing iron supplements to restore the normal levels in your body.
Thyroid, hypothyroidism
Thyroid and hair loss are intimately linked, as a thyroid disorder may cause the hair to fall out. Hypothyroidism is the medical term used for having an underactive thyroid gland; this gland is located in your neck and produces hormones vital for your metabolism, and also for your growth and development, so when it doesn´t produce enough hormones can generate a hair loss.
Antidepressants and hair loss
Some types of medication may cause a hair loss, too, especially certain blood thinners and blood-pressure drugs (beta-blockers). Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen, and antidepressants, may also trigger a fall out of hair. A doctor should be consulted in order to get an alternative medication in case this symptom appears.
Fast weight loss
Weight loss and hair loss are also very related terms. A sudden loss of weight in a person can generate a thinning in hair, no matter if the weight loss is for your good health and has been prescribed by a medical professional. This can be because the stress that the loss of weight itself represents for your body, or due to some vitamin or mineral deficiencies.
Chemotherapy treatment
Some of the drugs and treatments commonly used to beat back cancer usually generate a fall out of hair. For example, chemotherapy causes hair loss because it destroys rapidly dividing cells: that is cancer cells, but also hair cells. However, once this treatment is stopped, hair will grow slowly again, although usually will regrow with a different texture or colour.
These are some of the reasons for hair loss. Of course, there are other reasons like male pattern baldness and heredity, aging, or oversyling; also the use of anabolic steroids, and some diseases like trichotillomania or the polycystic ovary syndrome may trigger a fall out of hair. In any case, no matter why: the most important thing is to seek a professional assessment as soon as your hair starts to fall. The sooner you do, the faster the solution will be.
